Means for drawing together and aligning the separable parts of composite load-carrying vessels or watercraft

ABSTRACT

The invention provides power operated apparatus for pulling into alignment both with respect to draft and trim buoyant hull sections of composite vessels and the like. The apparatus comprises in association with a first hull section a power operated extendible and retractable articulated structure, gripping means provided on said extendible and retractable structure, and an anchoring point on a second hull section arranged so as to be engageable with said gripping means.

ilnited States Patent Stockdale 1 Feb. 8, 1972 [54] MEANS FOR DRAWING TOGETHER AND ALIGNING THE SEPARABLE PARTS OF COMPOSITE LOAD- CARRYING VESSELS OR WATERCRAFT [72] Inventor: Geotirey Stockdale, 57, Greenleas Road,

Wallasey, England 221 Filed: Feb. 13, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 11,082

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 15, 1969 Great Britain ..8,357/69 [52] US. Cl. ..l14/235 A, 114/77 R ..B63h 21/58 [58] Field of Search ..1 14/77 R, 77 A, 70, 65, 60, 114/56, 235 R, 235 A, 230, 61, 26-32, 36, 37, 44-48, 43.5, .5; 9/25, 4345', 214/12, 13, 38 B [56] v References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,537,413 11/1970 Farrell ..1 14/435 3,398,716 8/1968 Neilson ....ll4/6l X 3,073,466 l/1963 Greer et al ..2l4/38 B X Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-F, K. Yee Attorney-Linton & Linton [57] ABSTRACT The invention provides power operated apparatus for pulling into alignment both with respect to draft and trim buoyant hull sections of composite vessels and the like. The apparatus comprises in association with a first hull section a power operated extendible and retractable articulated structure, gripping means provided on said extendible and retractable structure, and an anchoring point on a second hull section arranged so as to be engageable with said gripping means.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 or 2 INVENTOR:

GEOFFREY STOCKDHLF MEANS FOR DRAWING TOGETHER AND ALIGNING THE SEPARABLE PARTS OF COMPOSITE LOAD- CARRYING VESSELS OR WATERCRAFT This invention relates to composite vessels or watercraft generally, for example vessels or watercraft of the kind described in prior British Pat. No. 902,908 or in prior British Pat. No. 1,101,025.

Vessels or watercraft of the kind described in said prior patents comprise at least two separable parts, namely, a stern section provided with navigating and propulsion means and a usually, but not necessarily, load-carrying bow section, and said two parts having'mating bulkheads which require to be pulled into aligned abutment and connected whereby the vessel can be propelled and navigated in more or less conventional fashion as a unitary hull structure. In some cases one, or more, load-carrying hull sections may be provided for interposition between the stern and bow sections.

The present invention has for its object to provide power operable means whereby the cooperating hull sections of a composite vessel may be drawn together and secured under, if required, remote control, as for example from the navigating bridge or station of the vessel.

A further object is to provide such apparatus which may be of a demountable nature.

Broadly, according to the invention, apparatus for the purpose specified comprises in, or for association with, a first hull section, a power operated extendible and retractable articulated structure, gripping means provided on said extendible and retractable structure, and an anchoring point on a second hull section arranged so as to be engageable by the gripping means of said extendible and retractable structure.

The arrangement is such that when the gripping means of the first hull section is engaged with the anchor point of the second hull section and power is applied to the articulated extendible and retractable structure, the force or forces applied function, in addition to drawing the two hull sections together, to impart relative vertical movement thereto whereby, regardless of their relative draft and trim, said hull sections may be brought accurately into alignment as is required. The power for extending and retracting and vertically adjusting said extendible and retractable articulated structure may be afforded by hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or mechanical means, or any combination thereof suited to the circumstances.

The invention is further described with the aid of the accompanying drawings which illustrate schematically, and by way of example only, an example of the invention.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of hydraulically operable power means for drawing together buoyant hull units, and

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

Referring to said drawings, A denotes a first hull section and B a second hull section which requires to be drawn into alignment with the hull section A both with respect to draft and trim.

The apparatus for drawing together the two hull sections A and B comprises a pair of arms 10, pivotally anchored to the deck of the section A by means of a shaft 11 which extends through bearing apertures provided in said arms and in foot brackets 12 rigidly secured to the deck. Pivoted between the upper ends of said arms 10 on a shaft 13 is a duplex arm structure 14 having a hooked end 15. The arms 10 are arranged for pivotal fore-and-aft movement under the influence of two, fluid operable, e.g., hydraulic, power cylinders 16 which are connected on a rear axis 22 of said arm structure 14.

The hooked end of said arm 14 is engageable as shown with a shaft 23 of a bracket 24 rigidly connected in the deck of the hull section B. If desired said hooked end may be provided with a locking pin, which may be spring influenced, arranged so as to prevent accidental disengagement of the hook from the shaft 23.

Controls (not shown) for actuating the various power cylinders may be remotely situated, and the working medium for operating said cylinders may be derived from any suitable power source.

Usually, apparatus as described will be provided at least in respect to each side of both hull sections to be connected in order to simplify alignment and ensure a uniform application of force.

It will be seen that with apparatus as described, and assuming the hull section A and hull section B have been brought into required proximity (for example by means of conventional winches and wire ropes) so as to enable the hooked ends of the arms structure 14 of hull section A to be engaged with the anchor shaft 23 of hull section B, appropriate operation and control of the power cylinders 16, 20 will cause said hull units to be brought into a position such that their decks are in horizontal alignment and their bulkheads in close abutment. Thereafter, separate connecting means of any suitable type may be used to lock the hull sections together and permit of the connecting gear to be released.

lt will be seen that apparatus according to the invention may readily be disconnected from the deck anchor points in order that it may be transported to other situations.

Power operated means according to the invention may of course be used with advantage in the drawing together and connecting of buoyant units generally.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for pulling into alignment buoyant hull sections comprising a pair of arms pivotally anchored at their lower ends to the deck of one of the hull sections, a duplex arm structure pivotally connected between the upper ends of said pair of arms, a fluid operable power means being connected to said pair of arms and capable of pivoting said pair of arms, a fluid operable power cylinder connected to said duplex arm structure and capable of pivoting said duplex arm structure, anchor means mounted on the second of said hull sections and said duplex arm structure having a hooked end for engaging with said anchor means.

2. Apparatus for pulling into alignment buoyant hull sections as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid operable power means consists of a pair of fluid operable power cylinders pivotally connected to said deck of said first hull section and said pair of arms each have an integral upper lug pivotally connected to the ram of one of said pair of cylinders.

3. Apparatus for pulling into alignment buoyant hull sections as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pair of arms each has a lower lug pivotally connected to said fluid operable power cylinder and the ram of said power cylinder is pivotally connected to said duplex arm structure. 

1. Apparatus for pulling into alignment buoyant hull sections comprising a pair of arms pivotally anchored at their lower ends to the deck of one of the hull sections, a duplex arm structure pivotally connected between the upper ends of said pair of arms, a fluid operable power means being connected to said pair of arms and capable of pivoting said pair of arms, a fluid operable power cylinder connected to said duplex arm structure and capable of pivoting said duplex arm structure, anchor means mounted on the second of said hull sections and said duplex arm structure having a hooked end for engaging with said anchor means.
 2. Apparatus for pulling into alignment buoyant hull sections as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid operable power means consists of a pair of fluid operable power cylinders pivotally connected to said deck of said first hull section and said pair of arms each have an integral upper lug pivotally connected to the ram of one of said pair of cylinders.
 3. Apparatus for pulling into alignment buoyant hull sections as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pair of arms each has a lower lug pivotally connected to said fluid operable power cylinder and the ram of said power cylinder is pivotally connected tO said duplex arm structure. 